A town councilor has launched a campaign to protect inpatient beds at Chard Community Hospital.

Amanda Broom, the councillor for Chard Combe Ward is asking people to speak up to prevent hospital services being taken into the community, with patients treated in their homes rather than being admitted to a ward.

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She said: "Chard is the second biggest town in South Somerset, and there is limited access to public transport.

"I have spoken to Nick Broughton. I was told this would see the service taken out into the community, but if the wards are closed how are patients supposed to get to other hospitals in Crewkerne and South Petherton?

"This is not a political campaign. As a resident of Chard, I am genuinely worried for the longevity of the hospital. What's next? Staff could lose their jobs and I am not just talking about medical professionals, there are people such as cleaners to think about as well."

The petition to save beds at the Chard hospital

She added: "This could have a three-way impact and the people living in Chard need to be reassured they are going to continue to receive an adequate level of care."

At the time of writing Mrs Broom's petition has acquired more than 270 signatures of its 500 target.

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A spokesperson said: "As part of the Sustainability and Transformation Plan (STP) hospitals across the country are looking at ways they can take the service they deliver to the people who need it in the community.

"This is a five-year plan but there is no point jumping to conclusions – work hasn't even started yet.

"Nothing has been decided, we need to come up with a model that benefits the needs of all who will be interested by any changes that are made, and that is what we plan to do."